Study Session
"So a momentary dipole force is created, attracting this molecule here and… You're not paying attention, Felicia."
Felicia was staring out the library window, twirling her hair.
Peter coughed loudly, attempting to get her attention.
She snapped out of her day dream. "I'm sorry, what did you say, Peter?" She flashed him her most innocent smile and batted her lashes.
Her innocent act didn't work on Peter. In fact, Felicia was noticing that her charm had less and less effect on him. She was used to having complete control of men. The fact the Peter was becoming immune to her charm was new and almost exciting. At least it would be if he weren't always talking about chemistry.
"Look, this is a waste of both of our time. If you don't want to pay attention I don't see the point." Peter got up and started collecting his books off the table.
"No, Peter, don't leave. I promise to pay attention from now on. Cross my heart."
"Look, I just don't think I have the time for our study sessions anymore. I've been really busy lately. I can't waste anymore time." Peter replied.
"So I'm just a waste of your time?" Felicia asked, her forehead crinkled in anger.
Peter sighed; he hadn't meant to hurt her feelings. "No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I don't think you really want to learn the material. If your heart's not in it then no matter what you do you're not going to get any better."
"I don't think your hearts really in teaching me then. You're late most of the time, if you show up at all. What's so important that you're always running off to?" Felicia didn't like that about Peter. People can't leave the Felicia Hardy waiting. But she had been willing to put up with it since he was doing her a favor. In reality, she was really doing him the favor. How often does Peter get the chance to associate with beautiful and powerful people, such as herself?
Peter's heart beat faster. He didn't like it when people noticed his disappearances. He prepared to give his typical lie, "I've been working for the Daily Bugle and, um, sometimes I get called at the last minute. But that's not really the issue."
Felicia looked closely at Peter. For some reason, she felt that he wasn't telling the truth. He seemed overly nervous. The rumor on campus was that Peter was an important photographer for the Daily Bugle. This renewed Felicia's respect for him. He might not be the star of the football team but working for a prestigious newspaper was better than nothing.
"Look, Peter," Felicia said, "I guess I'm not really mad at you. You're right, I don't really care about chemistry. I didn't really want to take it in the first place."
"Then why did you?" Peter asked.
Felicia smiled as she remembered the reason why she chose the class. "Because my mother told me not to. She donated a huge amount of money to the school, so most of the other teachers pass me whether I show up for class or not. But Dr. Connors is different. He's not afraid of my mother. She knew he wouldn't change my grade and that I'd actually have to earn it. She didn't think I could pass and I guess I wanted to prove her wrong."
"You can still prove her wrong." Peter added.
"Why bother. Everyone knows my mother's rich enough to pay off all the teachers. No one would believe I did it myself."
"I'd believe you," Peter replied. "You could do it if you tried."
"Yeah, right," she laughed. "I'm dumber than a box of rocks."
"I don't think you're dumb at all." Felicia looked deep into Peter's eyes as he spoke these words and she could tell they were spoken sincerely. "I think that you're afraid to show it, but inside you're a very intelligent woman. I've seen glimpses of it during are study sessions."
Felicia was silent. She had to look away from Peter's deep blue eyes because she was ashamed of how moved she was by his words. No one ever thought she was smart. She always acted ditsy because that's how everyone treated her. If she acted passive and ignorant, like she was expected, boys fell easily under her spell and into her control. But she'd tire of them after a while. Lately she had felt increasingly bored with her life. Being beautiful and going to parties wasn't as fulfilling as she made it out to be. She longed for excitement, but instead she found herself with Peter Parker. But maybe he could help her find what she was looking for.
"O.k. Peter," she replied in a deep, forceful voice. "Let's get to work. I'm going to pass tomorrow's test."
***
In only two hours, Peter was surprised to find that Felicia had mastered the chapter. He knew she could do it but he hadn't known how quickly. Her attitude had changed significantly. The once care-free hair twirler had transformed into a driven chemistry machine. She absorbed everything Peter told her.
"I think you've got it. You're gonna be fine for tomorrows test." Peter closed his book.
"I have just one more question." Felicia replied.
"What is it?"
She reached across the table a pulled an unsuspecting Peter towards her. "Why haven't you kissed me yet?"
To be continued…